Kobe Bryant’s sports academy retires ‘Mamba’ from name

Mamba Sports Academy in California is changing its name out of respect for Kobe Bryant and his family. (Source: CNN)

Posted: Fri 11:18 PM, May 15, 2020&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Sat 12:00 PM, May 16, 2020

(CNN) - Sports Academy has retired “Mamba” from its name out of respect for Kobe Bryant and his family.

“Like tens of millions of fans around the globe, Sports Academy’s world drastically changed on January 26, 2020. Today, with respect for an unparalleled legacy, the Academy will retire the “Mamba” in the Mamba Sports Academy name,” the complex said in a statement.

Bryant started going to Sports Academy in California as a coach of his daughter’s youth basketball team in early 2018. The December, Bryant joined the gym as an official partner and “Mamba” was added to the name.

The sports complex is where Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were traveling when their helicopter crashed in January.

Following that tragedy, after discussion with Bryant’s estate, the sports complex will go back to its original name.

“Sports Academy is still here to transform the way each of us approach human performance,” the complex said.